WEBVTT >> WE HEARD THE FIRST ORALARGUMENTS ON THE DIRECT APPEAL.>> ZACHARY HOLLY VERSUS STATE OFARKANSAS.>> THE DEFENSE ATTORNE, HE SAYSTHERE WAS AN SUFFICIENT EVIDENCETO PROVE THAT HE BURGLARIZED THEBRIDGMAN'S HOME.THE COURT DID NOT LET THE JURYHEAR HIS WISHES TO PLEAD GUILTYLEADING UP TO THE TRIAL.IT WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN MATTERED.>> EVEN IF THE APPELLANT WASABLE TO ADD ONE MORE MITIGATEHER.THE PROPER LAST-MINUTE PLEAD OFGUILTY, IT WOULD NOT AFFECT THEOVERALL JURY VERDICT.>> MAY SAY POLICE COERCED HISWIFE TO GET THEM TO TESTIFY TOTHE CRIME.THE STATE SAYS THAT IS NOT TRUE.HE SAYS, "I TRUST THE COURT WILLTREAT THIS CASE WITH THESERIOUSNESS IT DESERVES.>> THE ATTORNEY TELLS US THATJUSTICES DO NOT MAKE A DECISION

Related Content

Today, the Supreme Court Justices heard the first oral arguments in the appeals process for Zachary Holly.

Holly's defense attorney, Robby Golden, says these are the three grounds for an appeal:

1. The circuit court erred by denying appellant’s motion for directed

verdict as to residential burglary, because there was insufficient

evidence that appellant “entered or remained unlawfully” in the

home of another person.

2. The circuit court erred in granting the State’s motion in limine and

finding that appellant’s offer to plead guilty to capital murder was

not admissible as a mitigating factor to show acceptance of

responsibility during the penalty phase of the trial.

3. The circuit court erred by denying appellant’s motions to suppress

appellant’s custodial statements.

Golden tells 40/29 News, "In my experience it is impossible to glean which way the court is leaning by the questions asked, so it is hard to know how things went. However, I trust the court will treat this case with the seriousness it deserves."

The Assistant Attorney General, Brooke Gasaway, argued there was sufficient evidence, that the mitigating factor would not have been enough to affect the overall jury verdict, and that Holly's wife was never forced to talk to Holly by police.

If the justices do not hand down a decision before June, it could be until the Fall when we find out what they decide.